Violette Szabó, George Cross

AN IDEAL GIFT FOR CHRISTMAS. SOLD OUT. Try UK National Archives, Tangmere Military Museum and Beaulieu, amongst others. Tania will sign, and personalise if you wish. THANK YOU ALL FOR ORDERING AND WISHING TO ORDER FROM THIS SITE AND FOR READING AND WISHING TO READ HER STORY. She was truly young, brave and beautiful. Tania Szabo

"She was the bravest of us all." said Odette Churchill GC, SOE agent in WWII

Lieutenant Violette Szabó, George Cross, Croix de Guerre with Star, Médaille de la Résistance, was a renowned undercover secret agent for SOE (Special Operations Executive) in occupied France during the Second World War (1939-1945).

In August 1940, she married Adj.-chef of the 13th DBLE, Etienne Szabó, Légion d'Honneur, Médaille Militaire, Croix de Guerre with Star and Palm, Colonial Medal, a career legionnaire of great leadership qualities, who led his men from the front with formidable courage in Norway, Bir Hakeim and El Alamein - to name just a few battles. On 24 October 1942, he was killed leading his men in the impossible deception plan at El Himeimat, south of El Alamein.

A daughter, Tania, was born in June 1942.

These pages will be increasingly about them and Tania's first book, Young Brave and Beautiful, her exhaustively researched reconstruction of Violette's missions and life, with help from many people, inlcuding archives from the Foreign Office, SOE and National Archives, FANY archives, along with help and archives from private, public and family archives. Her book was published in November 2007. She is planning that a second book on Etienne's amazing and exotic life will be published in a year or so.

The Governor of Jersey, Lieutenant-General Andrew Ridgway, after reading a long extract of the book to the guests at the launch of Young Brave and Beautiful last November, said of Violette:

“She’s an inspiration to those young people today doing the same work with the risk of the same dangers”. Mirrors the author's sentiments perfectly.

Chief Executive of Jersey War Tunnels, PaulSimmonds said: “Jersey War Tunnels firm belief in the success of this publication was the motivation for purchasing the entire first edition of Young Brave and Beautiful. Whilst there have been many publications in the past detailing an account of Violette’s life, it is only now that such a comprehensive and accurate account of her missions as a Special Operations Executive Agent is told and by the most appropriate person, her daughter Tania. The response has been tremendous, even before the launch we received a number of both local and overseas requests for signed copies. As a consequence we have added extra signing dates to give everyone a chance to meet Tania and take away the very unique keepsake that is Young Brave and Beautiful.”

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Etienne & Violette still on honeymoon in 18 Burnley Road garden

Violette's Carte d'identite 1944

Where Tania worked 2007-09

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We would be delighted if you visit our Guestbook. Thank you for your interest in Violette and Etienne.

FOR ORDERING COPIES OF YOUNG BRAVE AND BEAUTIFUL, PLEASE SELECT THE CORRECT PAYPAL ICON FOR YOUR COUNTRY.THANK YOU

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Young Brave and Beautiful has 496 pp in hardback format, including a foreword by Jack Higgins, the author of The Eagle has landed and many other best sellers, a brief Bibliography, a comprehensive Index; plus an additional 28 pp of images and a colour plate on the front and back page. It weighs about one kilo (approx. 2.20 lbs). All copies are dispatched by recorded delivery or equivalent.Tania will be happy to sign copies if you let her know either on the PayPal order page or by email.

♦

The most highly decorated married couple for gallantry awarded by their respective countries Guinness Book of Records